Giants Turn to Verlander to Halt Skid Against Diamondbacks
The San Francisco Giants find themselves in a tough spot heading into today’s matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks. After dropping four straight games, their playoff hopes are slipping, and every contest now feels like a must-win. The Giants, sitting at 75–76, trail the New York Mets by three games in the race for the final National League Wild Card spot. Meanwhile, Arizona, at 77–75, has surged back into the conversation with four consecutive wins and is just a game and a half behind New York.
Taking the mound for San Francisco is none other than Justin Verlander, a pitcher who has built his reputation on late-season dominance. His win-loss record this year doesn’t tell the full story. At 3–10 with a 3.94 ERA, it may not look imposing, but he’s been throwing some of his best baseball down the stretch. Over his last six outings, Verlander has posted a 2.29 ERA, holding opponents to just 25 hits and a single home run in more than 35 innings. Giants manager Bob Melvin pointed out that the veteran’s numbers don’t truly reflect his effectiveness, emphasizing that he has quietly been their most reliable arm.
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Across the diamond, Arizona will counter with Brandon Pfaadt, who has put together a 13–8 season but carries a 5.31 ERA. Pfaadt has been far more comfortable at home, going 9–3 with a 3.50 ERA at Chase Field, compared to a rocky 7.29 ERA on the road. However, he has struggled against the Giants specifically, going 0–4 with a 5.11 ERA in five career starts.
The storyline doesn’t just come down to pitching. Arizona’s offense has been fueled by Ketel Marte, who has piled up 25 home runs and 66 RBIs, and Gabriel Moreno, who has been hot over the last 10 games. The Giants will lean on Rafael Devers, who has delivered 31 homers and 102 RBIs, along with newcomer Jung Hoo Lee, who has contributed key hits in recent games.
Momentum, though, is clearly on Arizona’s side. Since the start of August, the Diamondbacks have gone 26–16 after once being eight games under .500. Manager Torey Lovullo has kept his group steady, reminding them that the pressure of September baseball is nothing new after two straight years of Wild Card chases.
So, with the season winding down and postseason hopes hanging in the balance, today’s matchup feels heavier than a mid-September game usually does. The Giants are banking on Verlander’s steadiness to stop the bleeding, while the Diamondbacks see an opening to pull ahead in the standings. Every pitch, every swing, and every play could carry October consequences.
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